YOU DECIDE 2006 &mdash; Senator Rick Santorum

If you want to keep your taxes low, defeat the Islamofascist threat to our freedom, and restore sanity to our judicial system by appointing judges who won't re-write the Constitution every chance they get, then my victory in Pennsylvania will help protect you and your family from the radical left seeking to seize control of the United States Senate this November.

Is that important to you? I believe it is. If you think that four years of steady economic growth hasn't been important to our country, if you don't want a repeat of Bill Clinton's massive tax hikes, and you don't like the idea of any of our troops in harms way, but you know in your heart that we cannot cut and run from Iraq, then you understand fully why I must be re-elected in November. All of this, plus the Supreme Court nominees and other judicial nominees are at stake, truly at risk, and you know from my record that I not only stand up for what's right, I fight for it.

As I told Pittsburgh-area radio host Fred Honsberger recently, "bizarre" is a good word to describe our campaign for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania this year. I've never been involved in a campaign like this one, where someone felt so entitled to winning an office simply because they have a famous last name. And that someone I refer to is Bob Casey, Jr.

He's running a cookie-cutter campaign, repeating the same canned phrases time and again. His latest talker — calling me desperate. My response: it's not desperation, it's exasperation. My opponent, Bob Casey, Jr. is trying to make this entire campaign a referendum on Rick Santorum and the Bush Administration. He's giving the people NO reason to vote FOR him.

He's refused to engage in substantive debate. In every debate, even the moderators or panelists felt compelled to point out that he avoided giving a straight answer to their questions. It's been like pulling teeth to get him to respond to questions. In almost all cases, he didn't answer them altogether.

It can be exasperating, but I have a lot of faith in the people of Pennsylvania, and those across this country who have been so supportive. They're going to take a look, and they're going to see someone who worked hard to get the job, and who works hard when he's in the job - compared to someone who feels he is entitled to this job. I think when you feel like you're entitled to something, you don't work very hard after you get it.

I have earned my support because of what I've done, what I believe in, and the vision I present. That vision includes cutting taxes to keep the economy growing and create jobs, securing our borders without providing amnesty to millions of illegal aliens, taking strong action against Islamic fascists who want to kill us, and working towards energy independence so that we're not dependent on the same people who want to kill us for oil.

I will talk about, and work on addressing, those issues all day long. My opponent avoids talking about those issues at all costs, and he doesn't come close to offering solutions.

Do you think I like answering every question I'm asked? I don't. I get questions about my family and personal matters, but no matter what the question is, I answer because I believe the people of Pennsylvania and America deserve to hear from me.

I feel humbled to serve the people of Pennsylvania in the United States Senate. It is not a job that's ever been coming to me, but it's one that is worth every minute because of the difference I'm able to make in people's lives, and the opportunity I have to help secure our country for the long-term — economically, culturally and physically.

I look forward to continuing this conversation throughout the campaign, and when I'm re-elected to the Senate — with your support.